Like fans, Howard looking forward to seeing Angels' Trout

Los Anglees Angels Mike Trout, right, is congratulated by teammate Albert Pujols after hitting a solo home run off Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Dustin McGowan during the third inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Friday May 9, 2014. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn)

PHILADELPHIA — Ryan Howard is a baseball player first, a baseball enthusiast a close second. And that’s why he will enjoy watching baseball Tuesday almost as much as he will playing some.

Like so many others, he wants to see Mike Trout play.

“I think we’re all fans,” Howard said, before the Phillies returned home from New York Sunday. “But all we have been able to do is hear about him. Fortunately, we will have an opportunity to play against him.”

Advertisement

Trout, 22, is the center fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, who will visit Citizens Bank Park Tuesday night at 7:05, before completing a brief series Wednesday afternoon. A former Phillies fan from Millville, N.J., Trout has been heralded as baseball’s best young star — if not its best player.

The 2012 American League Rookie of the Year has seven home runs, 22 RBIs and four stolen bases in 36 games. He is hitting .273. In each of his first two full seasons, he was the runner-up for American League MVP.

The Phillies will be coming off a 2-4 road trip in which they fell into a tie with the Mets for last place in the N.L. East. The Angels, who were in Toronto Monday, are in second place in the A.L. West.

“So you are not really looking at them as ‘one guy,’” said Howard, the 2006 N.L. MVP. “We have to look at the entire picture, which is their entire team. We have to regroup and get it together and be ready to play the Angels, not just Mike Trout.”

The Angels are managed by Mike Scioscia, a Delaware County native from Springfield High. Scioscia, a regular visitor to the Vet as the Dodgers’ catcher, will be visiting Philadelphia as a manager for the first time since 2008, when his Angels swept a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park.

Scioscia’s playing career (1980-1992) basically overlapped that of Ryne Sandberg (1981-1997). They were both on the National League All-Star team in 1989 and 1990.

“I played against him,” Sandberg said. “I am not surprised at all that he has been a successful manager, not at all. He’s been outstanding. He was a hard-nosed catcher, a heads-up guy. He was a good opponent to play against. I was always impressed with him.”

* * *

Pitcher Ethan Martin and outfielder Darin Ruf have had their rehab assignments sent to Lehigh Valley, where they will play for the Class AAA Iron Pigs.

Martin has been recovering from right-shoulder inflammation. Ruf has had a left oblique strain. Both have spent the season on the disabled list.

In a 4-2 victory Monday over Gwinnett, Ruf was 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored.

* * *

The Phillies have outrighted Jayson Nix to Lehigh Valley. In 43 plate appearances for the Phils, Nix had hit .154 with one home run. He has the option to become a free agent.

The Phillies said a corresponding roster move will be made prior to their Tuesday game with the Angels.

* * *

The Phillies announced that Freddy Galvis sustained a fractured left clavicle in a collision with Maikel Franco during a Sunday game at Lehigh Valley. The infielder’s recovery time is to be determined.

Galvis, 24, had an MRSA infection in spring training, causing him to begin the season on the disabled list. Activated April 11, he played in 16 games and hitting .048 before being sent to Lehigh Valley.